News
News

Google app translates sign language

By Jasmine Bailey
June 21, 2014

ExploreTrending on Facebook
ExploreMore popular and trending stories

According to the World Federation of the Deaf, there are about 70 million people around the globe who use sign language as their mother tongue. (Via Flickr / daveynin)

"Using electromyography it analyzes the position and muscle activity in both your hand and forearm. This means that Google Gesture can identify exactly which sign you are making." (ViaGoogle) 

Students at the Berghs School of Communication in Sweden helped come up with the idea for the app "as a way to enable signed conversation with those who don't use sign language." (ViaGizmodo) 

The app even won a prestigious Future Lions award at the Cannes Lions Festival Wednesday. 

According to Ad Age there were almost 2,000 participants in the festival. 

Google does have Google Translate which enables people to communicate in different languages and turns speech into text. 

About the Author

Jasmine Bailey
More Stories

Keep Reading

Mario Guevara covers a protest against immigration enforcement on Buford Highway on Saturday, February 1, 2025. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez

Gwinnett drops charges against Spanish-language reporter in ICE custody

Misdemeanor charges against journalist Mario Guevara have now been dropped in both Gwinnett and DeKalb counties.

DISPATCH

In Georgia’s melon mecca, watermelon wizards’ ears are sweetly attuned

In the heart of Georgia's watermelon country, everyone has a trick to tell if a melon is ripe. One way is the sound a melon makes when it is thumped. Or better, patted.

Atlanta leaders eye trails as part of solution to city’s traffic woes

The 535-mile expansion plan, known as Trails ATL, aims to make the city more walkable, bringing 10-minute access to trails for 95% of city residents by 2052.

The Latest

Bird’s-eye view of this year's massive turnout for the Peachtree.

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

AJC Peachtree Road Race updates: Keep the momentum going

2h ago

Sweet Tea: What would you do for your dog?

A.M. ATL: What deportation does to a family

Featured

Rebecca Ramage-Tuttle, assistant director of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia, says the the DOE rule change is “a slippery slope” for civil rights. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Georgia disability rights advocates fear weakening of U.S. accessibility law

Advocates worry the Department of Energy’s move could be the start of a broader effort by other federal agencies to roll back civil rights rules.

From boycott to ballgame: Baseball’s political All-Star Game saga returns to Georgia

MLB pulled the 2021 All-Star Game from Georgia over the state's voting law, Senate Bill 202. Now it’s back — and Republicans say the return proves they were right all along.

OPINION

Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ tour pushes fans outside the norm

Preparations for the show pushed people out of their comfort zones — into new stores, new communities, a new style of dress, and in some cases, to visit new cities.